AFBF pleased with approach on trade

Published online: Apr 04, 2013

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The American Farm Bureau Federation's trade specialist says it's good to see the Obama administration strike out in new directions to increase trade for the benefit of U.S. farmers and ranchers and the overall economy.

Dave Salmonsen says Japan is a real new market access opportunity with the administration's support of Japan joining in the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations.

"Japan's our fourth largest ag export market, almost $14 billion a year. But, it's heavily concentrated in wheat. They're our number-one wheat export market. Feed grains, but not a lot of our fruits and vegetables. With the third largest economy in the world there's a lot of opportunity," Salmonsen says.

The administration also supports the new free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union which are set to begin this summer.

Source: brownfieldagnews.com

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